Library Policies

It is the policy of the Abbot Public Library to provide as much information to the community as possible. In order to achieve this objective, any information of a community interest may be posted on the section of the bulletin boards labeled Community Interest. Any questions concerning what may be placed may be referred to the Library Director. Abbot Public Library does not endorse any of the listings.

Procedure 1. All items for posting must be delivered to the Main Circulation Desk. 2. All items must have the date on which the material was submitted on the front of the material. 3. Items will be posted by Abbot Library staff members. 4. Old items will be periodically removed from the bulletin board by Abbot Library staff members after an event or, for nonevents, after two weeks. Approved by the Board of Trustees, January, 1998.

Cell phones are now used by many people in a variety of environments. The Library Trustees and Staff have no desire to interfere with the use of this equipment for communication. In order to provide an environment where one person disrupts another as little as possible, it is the policy of Abbot Library that cell phones be used in the front foyer only or outside of the building. There is a wide overhang outside of the rear exit to the building. If the phone rings while a person is in the building, it is expected that the Library user will tell the caller to “Please wait” or the equivalent and go to the foyer or outside prior to beginning a conversation. If someone wishes to initiate a call from the Library, he or she will wait until reaching the foyer or going outside before doing so. Approved by the Board of Trustees, November 15, 2000.

Patrons who owe over $5.00 or have a billed item on their record are not allowed to check out materials.

The Abbot Public Library Board of Trustees has adopted the following Code of Conduct for all library trustees, as a supplement to M.G.L. c.268A, the conflict of interest law. Members of the Board of Trustees may not: • ask for or accept anything (regardless of its value), if it is offered in exchange for agreeing to perform or not perform an official act. • ask for or accept anything worth $50 or more from anyone with whom a Trustee has official dealings. • hire, promote, or otherwise influence the employment by the Library of anyone in their immediate family or their spouse’s immediate family. • take any type of official action which will affect the financial interests of their immediate family or their spouse’s immediate family, a business partner, private employer or other organization for which the Trustee serves on a board. • represent anyone (a company, association, friend or even a charitable organization) except the Library in any matter that the Library has an interest to any other government agency. • disclose confidential information, data, or material which a Trustee has gained or learned as a member of the Board. • take any action that could create an appearance of impropriety, or could cause an impartial observer to believe his/her official actions are tainted with bias or favoritism, unless he/she make a proper, public disclosure including all the relevant facts. • use his or her official position to obtain unwarranted privileges, or any type of special treatment, for his/her self or anyone else. For instance, Trustees may not approach employees or vendors of the Library to propose private business dealings. • use Library resources for political or private purposes (such as office equipment). Additional information is also available from the State Ethics Commission at http://www.mass.gov/ethics/ Approved by the Board of Trustees, January 8, 2001.

In the event of an emergency, the Abbot Public Library Board of Trustees authorizes the Library Director to take whatever actions are necessary, including but not limited to closing the facility, to protect the health, safety, welfare and security of patrons and staff, and if possible, to do so in consultation with the Chair of the Trustees. Approved by the Boiard of Trustees, January 3, 2000.

The Trustees and Director of the Abbot Public Library are always pleased to accept donations to the Library. A gift to Abbot Library is a gift to all of the citizens of Marblehead. We suggest various options depending on the wishes of the donor. I. Direct Contributions Books and other Library Materials–Donations of materials are always welcome. We encourage authors to donate copies of their books as well. A book plate will be placed in any items. Donations of used materials are selected for Library use under the terms of the Collection Development Policy or for inclusion in the Friends of the Abbot Public Library Book Sale. II. Donation Fund A. Specific Monetary Gifts–Should someone wish to make a donation for a specific purpose, the donation should go to the Abbot Library Donation Fund. This is the best course for those who would like to donate in honor or in memory of a specific person or to leave a bequest. Library materials such as books, videos, etc. will be purchased and a permanent plate will be placed on the item(s). We will, of course, send notification to the appropriate people if we are given the information to do so. A number of donations might be combined – such as gifts in memory of one person. B. General Monetary Gifts–In addition, unrestricted donations may be given to the Abbot Library Donation Fund. At the discretion of the Trustees, a wide variety of items such as furniture, computers, wiring, etc. may be purchased for the Library. Acknowledgments With the consent of the donor, those people who give direct contributions of $2,000 or more will appear on our benefactor’s board. For donations over $5,000, names will be placed on our patron’s board with the consent of the donor. A note should accompany the donation so that the Library staff understands your intentions. Approved by the Board of Trustees, April, 1999.

In response to advances in technology and the changing needs of the community, the Abbot Public Library endeavors to develop collections, resources and services that meet the informational, recreational and educational needs of the Marblehead community. The Abbot Public Library provides free, public access to the Internet as a way of enhancing its existing collections with information resources beyond the Library. Internet access is available to all users of the Library. The Abbot Public Library does not control or monitor the information available through the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content or use. Parents or legal guardians are expected to monitor or supervise their children’s use of the Internet. Users are encouraged to take advantage of the Internet and to exercise good judgment and discretion in their use of it. Any unlawful use of the Internet at the Abbot Public Library is prohibited. The Abbot Public Library subscribes to the statement of the American Library Association on Access to Electronic Information, Services and Networks: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights and to the NOBLE Internet Policy. Approved by the Board of Trustees, August 25, 1997. Reviewed and reaffirmed, July 2, 2001.

There is no minimum age requirement for obtaining a library card. A child under fourteen years of age may obtain a card whenever a parent or guardian is willing to guarantee financial responsibility for materials checked out on the card. Persons t may obtain a card without the signature of an adult or guardian. Persons who have completed the sixth grade are required to show some form of identification which verifies current address, such as a driver’s license, bill, piece of mail addressed to oneself, etc. Often young adults don’t have this kind of identification so we ask them to address a postcard, which we mail to their home. When they receive the post card, they present it at the Library and this serves as their identification. Approved by the Board of Trustees, January 10, 1996.

1. Library programs and events have priority for Meeting/Conference Room use. 2. Groups associated with the Library, such as the Friends of the Library, the Board of Trustees, etc. may use the Meeting and/or Conference Room at no charge. 3. Official Town Departments and Committees may use the rooms at no charge. 4. Groups which are co-sponsoring a program with the Library will not pay a fee. 5. Checks for fees are to be made payable to the Town of Marblehead at the rate of $25.00 for the Meeting Room and $10.00 for the Conference Room. 6. All programs, meetings, etc. must be open to the general public. 7. Absolutely no admission fees may be charged or donations solicited, with the exception of the Friends of the Library and the Second Century Fund. Any group may send a written request to the Board of Trustees asking that an exception be made, recognizing that this is rarely granted. 8. Commercial solicitation is not allowed. Persons from companies may give general presentations but may not advertise their own firms. 9. Any material advertising a program to be held in the Meeting Room must make it clear that the Abbot Public Library is not a sponsor. All material must be submitted for approval prior to distribution. 10. There is no charge for the use of kitchen facilities; however, groups are responsible for cleaning up and for the cost of replacing any lost or damaged equipment. 11. For Library sponsored events, the Trustees will allow the authors and entertainers performing in Library sponsored programs the opportunity to sell books, tapes, CDs and videos as applicable. Approved by the Board of Trustees, November, 1995. Awarded, November, 1999.

For the safety of our children and the comfort of all of our patrons, Abbot Public Library maintains this policy:

All children under the age of 7 must have an adult or a responsible person 13 years or older with them at all times while they are anywhere in the Library.

No library staff member is authorized to accept responsibility for the supervision or care for any minor child left alone or unattended at the Library at any time with the following exception: Exception: Children ages 4-7 may be left at Library sponsored programs if the person responsible remains in the building. Approved by the Board of Trustees, July 6, 1999.